February 1 1940: Asia in Cartoons and Europe in Cartoons

Two books are published, ‘Asia in Cartoons’ and ‘Europe in Cartoons’. Both are published by Huang Yao’s publishing company in Chongqing, ‘The People’s Publisher’ (Minjian Chubanshe)

These two books are a collection of cartoons drawn by western cartoonists. Huang Yao wanted the Chinese public to know that they were not alone in hard times. These two books were translated into Chinese from their original language, for the ease of understanding for the Chinese. The introductions in both books are the same.

‘Asia in Cartoons’ is on Japanese aggression in China. The purpose was to let the Chinese know how the west viewed the injustice committed in the unfolding of the Japanese invasion. Most of them felt that China was too big and complex for Japan to conquer. This book also served to encourage the Chinese to persevere in their resistant efforts.

Huang Yao wrote that the war in Europe was more complex than the war in China as there were more than two parties involved. He complied these cartoons by the western cartoonists to let the Chinese know the behavior of the aggressors as well as showing them that other parts of the world were also at war.